After taking boards in August, I went on a series of adventures. As you may know by now, my favorite form of outdoor recreation is boating down whitewater rivers. I got to run the Rogue River here in Oregon for the first time, and returned to Arizona for another trip down the mighty Colorado River through Grand Canyon. Our Grand Canyon adventure was 21 days long; a very long time to be away from cars, money, electricity, and everything else modern. I love that. On both trips I was rowing a raft. I enjoy rowing in part because it strengthens my core and makes me feel awesome. I had let myself get soft while studying for boards, and I feel much stronger after these trips.

While we were away my board results came in. My mail was on hold so it wouldn't pile up in the mailbox. When we got home I fell to the project of unpacking and cleaning up. My partner asked me "Are you going to open the mail?" and finally I did. I expected to pass, but the way those exams are, you never know for sure until you get the results. Thankfully, I passed with room to spare. I'm done running around on major multi-day river trips for now, and well rested to tackle the paperwork involved in starting up my practice. Here goes!!!